ST.PAUL, Minn. – A study by the state health agency found that excessive drinking costs Minnesotans nearly $8 billion a year. Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm called the financial burden “staggering” on families, communities, employers and the health care system. The study, based on 20919 data, was published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine. Among findings:
> Lost productivity accounted for 75% of the financial costs, including increased absenteeism, impaired productivity at work and at home, premature mortality, and incarceration.
> About 3% of inpatient hospital treatments were attributable to alcohol and accounted for 35% of inpatient costs.
> For each alcoholic drink purchased, there is an impact cost equivalent of $2.86.
> Binge drinking contributed to 73% of the financial costs to society, or $5.7 billion.